Basketball galore at NBA 3X

More than 70 teams battled it out at the NBA 3X held over the weekend at the Stadium Roar, Sports Hub. (Photo by VoxSports)

The NBA 3X was held over the weekend at Stadium Roar, Sports Hub. From 26 to 28 September, 73 teams vied for supremacy under the watchful gaze of four-time NBA champion and former player Horace Grant.

In order to exhibit the NBA’s atmosphere, Minnesota Timberwolves cheerleaders were invited down as well, as they cheered teams on while handing out NBA merchandises to the crowd, who withstood the scorching heat to find out who would emerge as champions in the respective category.

The Minnesota Timberwolves cheerleaders working the crowd. (Photo by VoxSports)

While there were on-court rivalries, most participants shared that they were there mainly to have a good time with friends while playing the game they loved.

Kathrin Bachmann, part of the NÖ & Freunde team which won the women’s open category, revealed that her friends even came from abroad to visit her and participate in the tournament.

Winner of the women’s open category, Kathrin Bachmann (centre), and her team mates who flew in from Europe just for the competition. (Photo by VoxSports)

“I live in Singapore and they live in Europe,” Kathrin said while pointing to her teammates.

“I think the tournament is great, lovely to come together and meet basketball people, it was quite tough but it was quite fun.”

The general response from the public galvanised Sport Singapore Chief Executive Officer Mr Lim Teck Yin, who was present throughout the event to witness Singapore’s basketball community soak in the NBA atmosphere.

“I think it is great that there have been more than 70 teams that have been wanting to play, and gone through the weekend playing sports,” Mr Lim shared.

“What we would like to see in the future is more people coming out to watch the game, and more teams wanting to join.”

While Grant enjoyed the basketball fiesta, he shared that his most enjoyable moment was when he conducted the basketball clinic for students from the Grace Orchard School, Special Olympics and Singapore Disability Sports School as part of NBA Care’s community initiatives.

Four-time NBA champion and former player Horace Grant. (Photo by VoxSports)

“I had one of the best times I ever had working with those kids, and in terms of putting smiles on their faces,” Grant enthused.

“It is just something about basketball that brings people together; you know it’s kinda like some music that brings people together. They didn’t know it, but myself and coach Chris were so pleased with what we saw and how the kids reacted to the game.”

After the event ended, Mr Lim shared that Sport Singapore will continue to work with NBA to achieve Vision 2030, where sports is for everyone and is an active part of their lifestyle.

“In our sport industry, we need to develop capability, we want to leverage on the brand equity and professionalism of the NBA and the the glamour that they bring to the game,” Mr Lim added.

“We have been in discussion with NBA on what else we could be doing together other than the 3X, as you know the NBA has got other platforms like the global games, the NBA Junior program… these are in discussion right now.”